SENATOR CALVERT -Could the Department advise me whether there has been any variation in the number of CES outlets over the last three years and what plans, if any, the Department has in place regarding an increase in CES outlets?

Mr Power-There has been an increase, as I recall, in the number of CES offices over the last three years. I do not have any details for you. In terms of planning to open up more CES offices, that is something that we constantly look at in terms of the needs in the various labour markets throughout Australia and we make an assessment on the basis of the number of unemployed and the number of employers in particular regions.

SENATOR CALVERT -I notice in your annual report that the CES was able to exceed its goals in relation to fee for service charges. I would like to know what percentage over all these fee for service charges represent to the Department's budget and, in particular, how the fees relate to the cost of the services provided.

MR POWER -The fees for service are shown in our program performance statements . Last year the revenue from those fee for service payments was just over $2m.

SENATOR CALVERT -Could you give me some idea of the cost of the annual job guide that you put out. I believe you defray some of those costs.

MR MAWER -I think we will have to take that on notice, but from recollection the figure is in the order of $1m and we do look to recover some of it from sponsorship.

SENATOR CALVERT -When you reply to the question perhaps you could tell me how successful you have been in defraying those costs through advertising, which I believe you do. I also notice that there has been a significant decrease in the placements per staff day across all States and Territories. Has this necessitated any changes to internal staffing arrangements in relation to what is now, obviously, a different workload than in previous years?

MR POWER -That figure there is calculated by dividing the placements which are shown in that same table by the total staff days that are available in the CES. It includes resources that are not directly used for obtaining placements for unemployed job seekers. For example, during a labour market downturn a lot more effort is required to register unemployed people with the CES. As you are aware, the CES plays an important part in the DSS administration of the unemployment benefit function. So during a labour market downturn, as we are experiencing at the moment, a lot more of our activity is in those, if you like, overhead functions compared to that job brokerage function which is performed by the CES.

SENATOR CALVERT -On page 149, there is a table 5.1. Just underneath that you make the point that total placements fell from 729,640 in 1989-90 to 442,230 in 1990-91. Because of that reduction of job placements, has there been a corresponding drop in staff numbers at CES offices over the same period or do you still retain the same number of staff?

MR POWER -The final staffing is the result of changes in a number of workload indicators, which reflect on the workload which is performed by the CES. The vacancies notified to the CES are one of those workload indicators which you will notice is quite closely related to placements. With the reduction in the vacancies notified during the year, there has been quite a reduction in the number of staff available to the CES.

MR MAWER -I might add to that that this has been commented on in some quarters . It seems peculiar, with the numbers of unemployed growing, that CES resources should be seen to decline, but you have to bear in mind that we service employers as well as potential employees and, although the numbers of the unemployed have risen quite dramatically, in fact, the number of vacancies have fallen even more dramatically.

SENATOR CALVERT -On page 150 under the section headed `CES share of total nation vacancy turnover' I note there has been a small percentage decrease in the share of the total nation vacancy turnover which is undertaken by the CES. Does the Department have any marketing strategies in place to raise the profile of the CES among its employers?

MR MAWER -Yes, Senator. One of our marketing campaigns for this year, subject to the availability of funds, is to get out among employers and to start explaining the things the CES can do for them in helping them to meet their employer, employee and skill demands.

SENATOR CALVERT -And you will be able to do that with your existing staff, I presume?

MR MAWER -Indeed. Basically, we are looking at two options. It might be possible to have a national campaign, but, equally, it might be possible to put resources out there into the industry service centres, in particular, which service employers, so they can just get out among the employers more than they do now.

SENATOR TIERNEY -I have received from Senator Paterson about 24 specific questions. Because of the nature of the questions, I propose to place those on notice.

SENATOR BOLKUS -We have about 300 questions without notice at this stage, so the officers will have to look at the number of resources we will need to respond to them. I know that Senator Kemp has quite a number more. It is obviously a testimony to the good staff that he has in his office but we will endeavour to answer them all, hopefully before Christmas, Senator Kemp.

SENATOR KEMP -I just make the point for the record, in view of the fact that the Minister persists in being provocative--

CHAIRMAN -I really do not think that is helpful.

SENATOR KEMP -The reason I have put these questions on notice is to ensure that we finish this hearing at a reasonable hour. You would notice that the Minister over here has been urging us every half hour to finish early. In that spirit I put these things on notice in order to assist you, Minister, but if you feel that I should ask these questions now and get answers I am quite happy. Please advise me.

SENATOR BOLKUS -If you ask them now we will be sitting here till Christmas to get them on the record. Let us go on the way we have been going, as you have discussed.

CHAIRMAN -The undertaking was given; that was the understanding from the beginning.

SENATOR KEMP -In view of the assurances of the Minister about making sure these questions being answered promptly, I table a series of questions on notice.